Chapter 9
“You’re looking a little stiff there, Willy. You need a drink?” Troy asks.
I adjust my bow tie—not for the first time tonight—and look around. I don’t think I’ve ever been invited to Cap’s house before.
When Cassie told me and Piper that we had to be at the event tonight—to raise money for Team Rainbow, Angie’s father’s organization—Angie jumped at the chance to invite her for a day of pampering.
I’m just thankful that Piper’s parents have a fundraiser at her mom’s school so I won’t meet them tonight. That would be way too much pressure on me.
“I’ll take a beer if you have one.” Anything to calm my nerves.
“Me too!” Noah chimes in from his spot on the couch.
“Coming right up.”
I take the brief reprieve to look around Troy’s living room. His house is like mine—nothing over-the-top or ostentatious. Angie and Troy live in one of the nicer areas of Denver and have a decent-sized back yard. Large windows give them a view of downtown and the mountains beyond them. Everything in here looks cozy and lived in. Likely Angie’s doing. Nothing like mine that looks straight out of a magazine.
“You nervous about tonight?” Noah asks.
I shrug a shoulder. “Not really.”
“Then why do you look nervous?”
Noah is sitting there like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Because I have to hang out with you idiots all night.”
“Ouch. That hurts.” He mocks pain, throwing his hand over his chest. “You wound me, Willy.”
“Leave him alone. It’s his first big night out with Piper,” Troy says, coming back into the room and handing each of us a drink.
“It’s still weird I didn’t know you were dating my sister.” Noah shakes his head, sipping on the amber beer Troy gave us.
“I’m a better option than Duncan,” I tell him.
“He’s not coming tonight, is he?” Noah asks.
I snort over the sip I took. “Hell no. The team didn’t mandate it, so he’s probably off screwing his latest conquest.”
“What a dick,” Troy says, dropping down onto the love seat across from Noah. I take the seat next to him.
The fundraiser tonight isn’t requiring the entire team to be there. Me? Cassie told me that Piper and I have to make an appearance.
To smile and play nice with the reporters that are there. And because they all grew up together, Noah is coming along as well, with Nick meeting us there. He said something about not being able to hang out beforehand.
Whatever that means.
“At least we don’t have to watch him schmooze all the donors tonight,” I say. “Sometimes I want to punch that look off his face.”
Noah tilts his bottle at that. “Amen to that.”
“Who do you want to punch?” That sweet voice filters into the room and I pop up from my seat, nearly sloshing my beer all over my tux.
And fuck me.
There’s Piper.
Looking sexier than any person has the right to be.
Angie is walking over to Troy, but I don’t spare her a second glance as Piper walks over to me.
“Who do you want to punch?” Piper asks again.
“Doesn’t matter.”
It’s about all I can say because I can’t string together any other coherent thoughts.
Piper is in a form-fitting black dress that flares out at her knees before it touches the ground. Her hair is styled in a fancy contraption that I couldn’t even begin to name. A simple necklace sits on her collarbone, exposed from the strapless dress.
“Cat got your tongue?”
“God, I really need to get a date,” Noah mutters to himself before heading out to the car that we hired for the night.
A smile dances across her face as her brother leaves the room.
It wouldn’t surprise me if my tongue was hanging out of my mouth at this point, because I’m practically drooling over Piper.
The woman that is my girlfriend.
Fake girlfriend, you idiot, I chide myself.
It’s hard to keep any sane thoughts when she looks so fucking stunning.
“You two ready to go?”
“What?”
My eyes shoot up at Troy’s words. He has his arm wrapped around Angie’s shoulders, keeping her by his side. She’s in a red dress that’s shorter in the front and longer in the back.
“Nothing. We need to get going.”
Fucker.
“C’mon.” I hold out my elbow to Piper, whose small hand drops into the crook. “You look beautiful.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Piper tells me, brushing a hand across the lapel of my tux.
The slightest touch from her makes me dizzy with need. I shouldn’t be feeling this. Shouldn’t even be thinking this. Especially with her brother in attendance tonight. But it’s going to be hard to contain this…whatever it is for Piper.
At least no one at the event tonight will be able to tell it’s fake, that’s for sure.
Piper
“Cash,do you support the team’s charity initiatives?” a reporter asks him.
We arrived at the event to a slew of reporters hanging out. With this being a team event, they wanted to have all the local and national press here.
I know Cash hates it. In the few weeks we’ve been doing this thing, I’ve realized talking to the press is the worst part of his job.
If he could only play hockey and not have to deal with people, he’d love it.
He takes a minute before answering. My guess is to come up with an answer that won’t be shitty toward said reporter.
“Of course I do,” he tells them. “The charity tonight is one that is close to the team’s heart. I love what they do to support inclusivity in sports. Something we should all work toward.”
“It’s a wonderful thing the Black Diamonds are doing with the gala to raise money.” The reporter turns his eyes to me. I dig my fingers into Cash’s hand and squeeze a bit harder. “And who is this on your arm?”
“Personal questions are off-limits,” Cash snaps at him.
Squeezing his bicep, I drop into the perfect girlfriend role. I know Cash doesn’t want to blast his personal life, but isn’t this the whole point of me being here?
“I’m Cash’s date for the evening.” I don’t give them any more information than that. Knowing them, they’ll figure out exactly who I am within hours.
“And do you support the causes the team supports?”
Okay, what is it with these reporters? No wonder Cash hates them and their repetitive questions.
“I love the work the team does. I’m Denver born and raised, so the Black Diamonds are my team. Anything they do is a win in my book.”
He nods along before moving on to the next person in line. Cash tugs at me as we head inside the double doors.
“That was a good answer.”
“Thanks.” I tilt my head up to look at him. “Hopefully that keeps them off your back.”
A smile slips out before he covers it, shifting his hand to my back to escort me inside. A rush of heat flares up in me, but I do my best to ignore it.
The banquet hall of the event is expertly decorated. Guests in elegant formal wear linger among high-top tables with candles flickering. The lights are dim as servers weave in and out of the groups to offer champagne. Another offers small canapés. A silent auction table lines one wall while photos of Team Rainbow’s work scroll on TVs spread through the room.
“Seems a bit extravagant,” Cash whispers, his breath ghosting my ear. “A lot of this money probably could’ve gone to the organization itself.”
“Do you know how much money they’ll raise tonight?” I ask, my voice breathy.
“A shit ton.” Cash is now smiling down at me. More butterflies are fluttering my belly. Damn my body and the reaction he causes in me. “That’s why we’re here.”
Giving me a wink, he grabs a drink from a passing waiter and hands me the flute. Photographers are still milling about. Whether it’s the for the press, the team, or whoever else, I know I need to put on a good face for Cash’s benefit tonight.
Which was why Angie dragged me for a spa day to get ready for tonight. I’m so thankful she did. I would not have been prepared to come to something like this on my own.
I know my parents have been to events like this over the years since my dad is best friends with Alex Young, the founder of Team Rainbow, but I’ve never been.
And if it weren’t for Cash, I wouldn’t be here now.
For someone that doesn’t like the press, he’s good with people.
Surprisingly so.
Guests come up and talk to him about the season. About playing for the Black Diamonds. Where they were when the team won a Stanley Cup a few years ago.
Cash takes it all in stride. Shaking every hand and smiling for every picture that people ask for.
When there’s a break, I take his hand and pull him over to a quiet corner.
“Think we’ll get in trouble for this?” Cash asks, towering over me.
His presence in this small corner of the room is overwhelming.
“How are you feeling?” I ignore his question and press my hand to his chest. Warmth seeps out of him. So different from the Cash he displays to the world.
“Like I’m done with people for the next month.”
I smile, brushing an imaginary piece of lint from the lapel of his suit. It’s unfair how good he looks tonight.
The tux hides his tattoos. His hair is perfectly styled. Hell, Cash even shaved for tonight. He looks like a stand-up guy. One any team would be lucky to have.
And it’s making my insides all swirly. Something that should definitely not be happening.
“Only a few more hours to go.”
Cash takes a step forward, closing the distance between the two of us. His leather shoes touch the tips of my purple heels.
“I’m glad you’re here with me tonight.”
Cash’s hand settles on my neck, thumb pressing against my pulse.
It’s throbbing. Much like my lady parts right now.
He’s so close, I can see how dark his eyes are, the light brown flecks disappearing into their depths. The way the tip of his tongue darts out to wet his lips.
I want him to kiss me. I want it more than anything. To feel what it’s like to be under Cash’s spell.
“Oh great. There you are!” Cassie’s voice has Cash leaping away from me. “I have one more reporter I need you to talk to before dinner starts.”
“Got it.”
Cash shoves his hands into his pockets, trying not to look like he was caught.
“I appreciate you two coming tonight. Both of you.” Cassie looks toward me, gaze drifting back to Cash before turning back to me.
“Didn’t have a choice,” Cash mumbles.
“I’m glad we could be here.” I ignore the man standing next to me.
Cassie cuts him a glare. “I’m hearing wonderful things about the two of you. Keep it up.”
“Anything for the team,” Cash tells her.
His words are a bucket of cold water on whatever I was feeling.
Right. The team.
We’re doing this for Cash and his place on the team.
No other reason and not because we’re a real couple.
Now if I can only get that through my head.